Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Eric Larson animated this scene in which Cinderella enters frame with a teakettle and starts pouring hot water into one of the teapots.
Photostat and final image might be a couple frames off, but you can see Eric's graphic choices bases on the live action reference. Cinderella's head is tilted more toward camera so that her face is easier to read.

Amazing that the prop trays and cups are exactly aligned for the animation. But then again they had to, since their arrangement are an important part of this gag sequence involving Lucifer.
One thing I noticed is that the inking of the saucers on the cel looks poor, the ovals are all off.
This movie was rushed through production, and sometimes it shows.

But who cares, when you have such a great story and beautiful character animation!

...He is our oldest and dearest friend, you know."
English character actress Hermione Baddeley read those lines in this scene as Madame Bonfamille in The Aristocats.
Even after all those years I am still baffled at how amazingly Milt Kahl animated this realistic character with grace and believability. Of course he simplified her human figure, and what you see are vintage Kahl shapes and forms. Disney layout artist/producer Joe Hale told me once: " Only Milt was able to pull off stylized designs with strong straight lines against curves."

I just love her elegant movements and charm. And the fact that the drawings were kept rough and loose doesn't bother me at all. I call her a "mini Kahl masterpiece".

Friday, December 8, 2017

A fantastic scene by Marc Davis, who ended up animating all of Cruella's footage in 101 Dalmatians.

Leading up to this moment, Cruella tried to interact with Pongo, who fiercely growls at her.

Anita, in an attempt to avoid a dangerous situation, tries to get Cruella's attention away from Pongo.

"Cruella, isn't that a new fur coat?"

"My only true love, darling." (The following scene: "I live for furs, I worship furs!")

I love the way Cruella lifts up the heavy coat and buries her face in it, # 25. This is a great example of referencing some live action footage and then going to town with it by greatly exaggerating the idea that this crazy woman is truly nuts about fur coats.

I believe the first three drawings were not used in the film, the last one is from the scene in which the Pig Goon proudly proclaims that they have been looking for a baby.

Frank and Ollie once said that John Lounsbery was the one animator who was able to adapt to Milt's drawing style better than anyone else at the studio. I thing these animation drawings prove their point.

Here is the link to a previous post on the Goons from Sleeping Beauty:

Friday, December 1, 2017

These design sketches of mine of The Horned King for The Black Cauldron are currently being offered at Heritage Auctions. They come from the collection of producer Joe Hale.
Black felt pen and Magic Markers, early 1980s.
I have always enjoyed working at this stage in production. Just imagining character concepts inspired by the story material. The movie was based on The Chronicles of Prydain books by Lloyd Alexander, and they are wonderful. With today's technology The Black Cauldron would make heck of a live action film.

Thursday, November 30, 2017

I remember Ward Kimball stating in an interview how ridiculous he thought some the Disney film titles of the 1940s sounded to him. "Fun and Fancy Free, Make Mine Music, Melody Time...what kind of titles are those?"

Be that as it may, the short films within these features contain some beautiful character as well as effects animation. And there is also a sense of experimenting with a variety of unique styles.

It ain't Pinocchio, but these movies are still very enjoyable to watch and to study.

Above a 1948 magazine article, followed by artwork from each of the film's segments.